She was born April 9, 1932, in Clarksville to the late Harry Leeds and Mildred (King) Leeds.

Blaine Leeds Facebook post: “Lost one of my heroes early this am. I believe there is a famous blog and book series called ‘The Pioneer Woman.’ It celebrates the hard work and ingenuity of great women. My Aunt Joan Brown was that kind of hero to me.

She was (among many other things): A great friend to so many, a great Mom to Michael Taylor and Mark, and grandmother to Bart and Christy, and a wonderful great-grandmother to their sweet kids, a true southern gourmet chef (real fried chicken, homemade pies, etc.) with a published cookbook (that she also illustrated with her own drawings and paintings), a woman of amazing work ethic (she raised two boys as a single mom, beginning at age 16 and became the personnel manager of one of the most beloved factory businesses in the history of Clarksville), she loved music and played the piano by ear (a trait she inherited from her grandpa Charlie who played the violin and guitar), she was a diehard Razorbacks fan and attended the first five SEC basketball tournaments when the Hogs were Rollin with Nolan, she loved to laugh and loved great movies and television, she had style and panache (they knew her first name at Dillard’s and we’re not sure if she or Imelda Marcos had more shoes), she was a phenomenal interior designer and home builder and planner, she read almost every syllable of the newspaper every day, she was my two son’s biggest fan and spoke to them and encouraged them often, finally she was a woman of great faith and an amazing example to her family of how to live the right way and do what’s right even when its not the easiest thing.”

My Aunt Joan will be truly missed. She passed away this am very early holding her two son’s hands in peace and without pain. Her brother, my Dad, Dan, was there with her.

Joan is survived by two sons, Michael Taylor and Mark Taylor, both of Clarksville; a brother, Dan Leeds and wife, Freeda, of Clarksville; two grandchildren, Christy Jackson and husband, Cary, of Clarksville and Bart Taylor and wife, Misty, of Sherwood and six great grandchildren, Jacob Beebe, Jordan Beebe, Justice Beebe, Kate Taylor, Nick Taylor and Drew Taylor.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 924 S. Crawford St., Clarksville, AR 72830. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home (479) 754-2201. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.